Clutch mechanism



Nov. 25 1924- 1,516,494

. H. J. CRINER CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed July 20. 192] A 'FI UL lo 25 2e 23 P 3 f; i 1 ii I i 24 I: i l A 34 I I 351 L J 2": "I": .E. E a

, INVENTUR gf/ IBMW ATTY Patented Nov. 25, 1924,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY J. CRINEB, OF BLO'OMINGTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MEADOWS MFG. GO., OF BLOOMII'TGTON, ILLINOIS.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

Application filed July 20, 1921. Serial No. 486,159.

My inventlon relates to clutch mechanism and more particularly to a clutch mechanism in connection with a cylinder washing machine.

The object of my invention is in the provision of a special clutch mechanism wherei in the movement of the cylinder of a washing machine may be controlled.

Another object of my invention is in the special form of the clutch in combination witllg a constantly moving power propelled rac Other objects of my invention will appear in the following specification in connection with the annexed drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section for a more detailed view of some of the parts;

Figure 2 is a detail of the clutch lever and its mounting, including also the rack and gear connection; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line AA of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings,

B designates generally the cylinder of a conventional cylinder washing machine. It may be said in explanation of this type of washing machine that the perforated cylinder which contains the clothes to be washed is rotated backward and forward within a tub which is filled, or almost entirely so, with water.

The washing machine tub is shown at 10. A bracket 11 shown in detail in Fig. 3 of the drawings is mounted on the outer face of the cylinder B by means of the screws 12. This bracket has a squared central aperture therein capable of receiving the inner end of the power shaft 13. The innermost end of the power shaft 13 also fits within a siocket 14 in the outer portion of the cylin- Integrally formed on the bracket 11 are guideways 15 which at the intersection of their inner ends form squared shoulders 16 which fit about the shaft 13; that is, about three sides of said shaft. The bracket above described is formed in such manner in order that the cylinder may be slid into the tub and the inner end of the shaft 13 which may be partially withdrawn as will be described later may be guided by the guideways 15 to its socket.

A lever 17 pivoted at 13 to the bracket has its inner beveled end 19 spring pressed between the two guideways by a coil spring 20. It will thus be seen that when the shaft 13 has taken its seat within the squared portion 16 that the lever 17 which has been thrust outwardly by its entrance will spring back across the open end of the portion 16 and thus hold the shaft securely in the cylinder. Likewise, movement of the lever 17 by the arm 21 will permit the removal of the cylinder when the shaft 13 has been partially withdrawn.

A bracket or bearing surface 22 is bolted to the tub 10 at 23, said bracket forming a bearing surface for the shaft 13. The shaft 13 which has been previously described as having its inner end squared, has its intermediate portion and outer portion cylindrical in form. An idler 24: is slidable on the shaft 13 and has its idler wheel 25 in contact with the outer surface of a power rack 26 in connection with the power plant of the washing machine, not shown.

The teeth 27 on the rack engage similar teeth 28 on a gear wheel 29 loosely mounted on the shaft 13, said gear wheel having a toothed clutch portion 30 on its outer face capable of possible clutched relation with a corresponding toothed portion 31 on the clutch member 32 which has positive connection with the outer end of the shaft 13.

A lever 33 pivoted at 34k thru an outwardly projecting portion 35 on the washing machine tub, has its inner forked ends 36 in operative but sliding engagement with a grooved portion 37 on the clutch member 32.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Power is transmitted thru the rack 26 to the gear 29 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 13. Inasmuch as the clutch member 32 has positive connection with said shaft 13 and inasmuch as its toothed portion 31 is capable of engagement with the clutch surface 30 of the gear, an inward movement of said clutch member by means of the pivoted lever 33 will transfer power from the gear 29' to the shaft 13.

(Altho not shown) the rack 26 has its power end eccentrically mounted and hence a forward and reversing movement is given to the shaft 13 which by its movement due to the engagement of its squared end with a similar portion in the cylinder causes a rocking movement of said cylinder within the washing machine tub.

/Vhenever it is desired that the movement of the cylinder cease, the lever 33 is moved in such manner that the clutch member 32 is withdrawn from the driven gear 29. This movement causes the shaft 13 to cease its movement and also to be withdrawn slightly or rather to the dotted line position shown in i a a It may be seen that the shaft altho withdrawn axially from the cylinder still supports the cylinder inasmuch as its inner end rests within the bracket 11 which is mounted thereon.

What I claim is The combination in a power Washing machine having a stationary tub and a removable receptacle therein, of a supporting bracket on said receptacle fashioned to permit removability of the receptacle from the stationary tub, a horizontally disposed shaft adapted to engage the supporting bracket, mechanism for transmitting power to said shaft including a gear and rack, a clutch member keyed to the outer end of said shaft, and a pivoted lever for imparting to the horizontal shaft a slight axial movement, permitting its partial withdrawal from the bracket, said axial movement at the same time, throwing the clutch member to an un clutched position with relation to the gear.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

HARRY J CRINER. 

